Perimeter seal for air cells

ABSTRACT

A perimeter seal for load-lifting air cells including a top sheet having an outer end operatively connected to the load being raised by the air cell. A seal member is secured to and positioned below the top sheet and engages the supporting surface to limit the amount of air passing outwardly of the air cell. One or more wheel assemblies are operatively connected to the inner ends of the seal member and top sheet to maintain the inner end of the seal member at a predetermined height with respect to the supporting surface as the air cell is employed to raise the load from its supporting surface.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Walter D. Behlen 3,258,080 6/1966 Williams et a]. l80/ 127 Columbus,Nebr- 3,321,038 5/1967 Mackie et al. 180/124 [2]] Appl. No. 790,704 3,385,390 5/1968 Guienne 180/118X [22] filed 1969 Primary Examiner-A. Harry Levy [45] Patented 1971 Attorney-Zarley McKee & Thomte [73] Assignee Behlen Manufacturing Company [54] PERIMETER SEAL FOR AIR CELLS 7 l 6 D F C aims rawmg lgs ABSTRACT: A perimeter seal for load-lifting air cells includ- [52] US. Cl 1.80/127, i a t h t h i an outer d ti l connected t 180/116, 180/12 the load being raised by the air cell. A sea] member is secured to and positioned below the top sheet and engages the up. [50] Field of Search 180/127, porting Surface to limit the amount f air passing outwardly f 116 the air cell. One or more wheel assemblies are operatively 56 R r d connected to the inner ends of the seal member and top sheet 1 e erences I e to maintain the inner end of the seal member at a predeter- UNTTED STATES PATENTS mined height with respect to the supporting surface as the air 3,182,740 5/1965 Cockerell 180/128 cell is employed to raise the load from its supporting surface.

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\-:s I l 62 7/ 5 55 32 l I 1' 77 L 54 PERTMETER SEAL FOR AER CELLS The use of air cells to support and raise loads with respect to a supporting surface is beginning to be quite popular in various industrial fields. Two devices which have been found to be fairly practical are the typical air bearings and air cushion devices. Much thought is now being given to the concept of utilizing air cells to raise large loads such as arches, buildings, domes, bleachers, etc. to facilitate their movement to an alternate location. These air cells must have perimeter seals to achieve the lowest possible air consumption while obtaining an effective lift sufficient to raise the load to permit its movement. Perimeter seals are now being used in such installations but have been somewhat unsuccessful and inefficient due to the large air consumption associated therewith. The primary reason for the large air consumption is due to the fact that the angle between the inner end of the seal and the supporting surface immediately therebelow changes substantially as the load is raised with respect to the supporting surface and the air consumption is apparently directly proportional to the increase in this angle. It is sometimes necessary to obtain a 3-inch effective lift to permit the structure to be moved over an irregular supporting surface and such lift obviously greatly changes the angle between the inner end of the seal and its supporting surface.

Therefore, it is'a principal object of this invention to provide a perimeter seal for an air cell.

A further object of this invention is to provide a perimeter seal for an air cell which has one or more caster wheel assemblies operatively secured to the inner end thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a perimeter seal for an air cell which prevents objectionable air consumptron.

A further object of this invention is to provide a perimeter seal for air cells wherein the air cells may be of any size or configuration.

A further object of this invention is to provide a perimeter seal for an air cell which permits the load to be raised a substantial distance with respect to the supporting surface without objectionably increasing the air consumption.

A further object of this invention is to provide a perimeter seal for air cells which may be used on a variety of different supporting surfaces.

A further object of this invention is to provide a perimeter seal for an air cell which is economical of manufacture and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illus trated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of an air cell employed in a typical installation;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the perimeter seal seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a modified form of the perimeter seal;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a further modified form of the perimeter seal;

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of another modified form of the perimeter sea; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of still another modified form of the perimeter seal.-

In FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates a support means while the numeral 12 generally designates the load to raised with respect to the support means. Support means 10 may be any suitable footing but in FIG. 1 is shown to include a relatively flat top surface 14 and an elongated channel 16 imbedded in the support means and secured thereto by anchors 13. Support means it} is shown to be comprised of a concrete material in FIG. 1 but could be of any composition depending upon the requirements or specifications of a particular installation. A steel corner member 20 is provided on the outer upper corner of the support means it) as best seen in FIG. 1. Support means 10 is provided with a channel area 22 below the comer member 20. Load 12 is provided with a steel reinforcing member 24 extending around its outer end and bottom surface as illustrated in FIG. 1. A channel 26 extends downwardly from the bottom of load 12 and is anchored in the concrete by means of anchors 28. As seen in FIG. 1, channel 26 is positioned over channel 16 and would engage channel 16 when the load 12 is supported by the support means 10. The numeral 30 generally designates an air conduit which would be in communication with a suitable source of air pressure. The inner ends of air conduit 30 is in communication with a cavity 32 provided in load 12.

The numeral 3d generally designates a spring bar which is secured at its upper end to the load 12 by means of plate 36 and anchor bolt 38 as seen in FIG. 1. An-adjustment bolt 40 is secured to spring bar 34 intermediate the length thereof and is imbedded in the concrete of the load 12 as also illustrated in FIG. 1. A guide wheel 42 is rotatably mounted on the lower end of the spring bar :34 and engages the corner member 20 to guide the load 12 with respect to the support means 10 when the load 12 is being moved with respect to the support means 10. The guide wheel 42 may be adjusted with respect to the corner member 20 by means of the bolt 40. An uplift bar hook means 44 is secured to the load 12 and has a hook portion 46 extending inwardly from the lower end thereof which is received in the channel 22. The numeral 48 generally designates the structure such as a dome, arch, building, bleacher, etc. which is mounted on the footing portion 50 of the load 12 by suitable anchors 51.

The perimeter seal of this invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 52 and includes a top sheet 54 which may be constructed of aluminum or the like. The outer end of the top sheet 54 is operatively secured to the angle 56 by any convenient means such as bolts 58. Angle 56 is secured to the uplift bar hook 44 and the load 12 by suitable bolts 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. One or more caster wheel assemblies 62 are secured to the inner end of the top sheet 54 by any convenient means such as bolts 64 and includes a support arm 66 and a caster wheel 68. The numeral 70 generally designates a flexible diaphragm comprised of any suitable material such as urethane or the like. The inner end of diaphragm 70 is secured to the top sheet 54 outwardly of the caster wheel assembly 62 by bolts 71. The outer end of the diaphragm 70 is secured to the angle 56 and the outer end of the top sheet 5d by the bolts 58 in the manner illustrated in FIG. -1. For purposes of description, diaphragm 70 will be described as having a bottom 72, inner end 74 and outer end 76. FIG. 1 illustrates the relationship between the support means 10 and the load 12 when air has been supplied through the air conduit 30 into the air cavity 32 in a sufficient amount to raise the load 12 from the support means 111. The caster wheel assembly 62 maintains the inner end 74 of the diaphragm 70 at substantially the same height with respect to the top surface 14; regardless of the relative position of load 12 with respect to support means 10. It can be appreciated that if the inner end 74 of the diaphragm 70 was secured in a rigid manner to from 12, the upward movement of the load 12 with respect the support means 10 would cause the inner end 74 of the diaphragm 70 to be raised from the top surface 14. The raising of the inner end 74 from the top surface 14 would reduce the amount of effective seal area between the bottom 72 of diaphragm 70 and top surface 14 thereby increasing the amount of air consumption. The caster wheel assembly 62 maintains the amount of seal area between the diaphragm 70 and the top surface 14 in a substantially constant manner whether the load 12 has been raised 1 or 3 inches from the support means 10. Thus, only a small amount of air will escape from the air cell between the bottom '72 of the diaphragm 70 and the top surface 14. The caster wheel assembly 62 permits the load 12 to be moved longitudinally of the support means 10 while still maintaining the effective seal between the diaphragm 7i) and the top surface 14 of the support means 10. Thus, the perimeter seal described in FIG. l. permits the structure 43 to be moved from one location to another with a minimum of air consumption. For example, if

structure 48 were bleachers or the like, the bleachers could be moved from a baseball field position to a football field position very easily and with a minimum amount of air consumption. The configuration of the perimeter seal permits the diaphragm 70 to move over slight irregularities in the top surface 14 of support'means with a minimum amount of air consumption. The perimeter seal 52 is seen in a top view in FIG. 2 and is seen to be substantially rectangular in shape with the corners thereof curved. The perimeter seal 52 may be of any configuration depending upon the particular type of air cell with which it is to be associated. FIG. 3 illustrates a perimeter seal 78 which is generally circular in shape and which has a caster wheel assembly 80 secured to its inner end. FIG. 4 illustrates a perimeter seal 82 which is substantially ring shaped and which has a plurality of caster wheel assemblies 84 secured to its inner end 86. In FIG. 5, the numeral 88 generally designates a semicircular perimeter seal having a plurality of caster wheel assemblies 90 secured to the inner end thereof. In FIG. 6, the numeral 92 generally designates a substantially rectangular seal having a plurality of caster wheel assemblies 94 secured to its inner end 96.

The seals disclosed herein may be of any size or shape but must have the wheel assembly secured to the inner end thereof to maintain the proper angle between the bottom of the diaphragm and the support surface which it engages. The casterwheel assemblies may be a few inches or a few feet apart depending upon the specifications of the structure with which it is associated. Likewise, the perimeter seal could be offs: any length and width. For example, the perimeter seal 92 seen. in FIG. 6 could be approximately l6.feet wide by 100 feet longand several perimeter seals could be utilized in conjunction with each other to achieve the necessary sealing effect. In other words, the seals could be positioned end to end with. respect to each other if so desired.

From the foregoing it can be seen that a unique perimeter seal for load-lifting air cells has been provided which maintains the inner edge of the diaphragm at the proper. height for the lowest air consumption while permitting an effective high lift. It has also been shown that the caster wheel'assembly of the perimeter seal also permits the seal to adjust to variations in the upper surface of the footings. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement. of my PERIMETER SEAL FOR AIR CEIILS without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any

modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope. lclaim: 1. In a perimeter seal means for a load-lifting air cell; a seal member comprising a rigid top sheet member having a top area, a bottom area, and inner and outer ends; a

flexible seal portion having inner and outer ends, the

outer end of said flexible seal portion secured to said sheet member adjacent the outer end thereof, the inner end of said flexible seal portion secured to said sheet member below said bottom area outwardly of its inner end thereof;

a wheel means secured to said top sheet member extending inwardly beyond the inner end of said flexible seal portion, said flexible seal portion having a bottom area for engaging a supporting surface to limit the escape of air outwardly of said seal means; and

said rigid sheet member adapted to be operatively secured at its outer end to the means supporting the load to be lifted.

2. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially semicircular in shape when viewed from the top thereof.

3. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially ring shaped when viewed from the top thereof.

4. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially oval shaped when viewed from the top thereof 5. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member IS substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the top thereof. g

6. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially circular in shape when viewed from the top thereof.

7. .In combination;

a support means havingan upper surface and an outer end;

a footing means having an outer end and positioned over said upper surface and being movable with respect thereto;

a building structure secured to said footing means;

said footing means having an air conduit in communication with an air cavity formed therein;

a source of air pressure in communication with said air con- I duit adapted to raise said footing means with respect to said support means at times;

a seal means between said support means and said footing means adapted to engage the upper surface of said support means;

said seal means comprising a rigid top sheet member having inner and outer ends, the outer end of said sheet member operatively connected to said footing means for movement therewith, a flexible seal portion having inner and outer ends and being secured at its outer end to said sheet member adjacent the outer end thereof, said seal portion being secured at its inner end to said sheet member outwardly of the inner end thereof; and

at least one wheel means secured to the inner end of said sheet member extending inwardly of said seal portion, said wheel means engaging said support means to limit the escape of air outwardly from said air cavity between said seal portion and said support means. 

1. In a perimeter seal means for a load-lifting air cell; a seal member comprising a rigid top sheet member having a top area, a bottom area, and inner and outer ends, a flexible seal portion having inner and outer ends, the outer end of said flexible seal portion secured to said sheet member adjacent the outer end thereof, the inner end of said flexible seal portion secured to said sheet member below said bottom area outwardly of its inner end thereof; a wheel means secured to said top sheet member extending inwardly beyond the inner end of said flexible seal portion, said flexible seal portion having a bottom area for engaging a supporting surface to limit the escape of air outwardly of said seal means; and said rigid sheet member adapted to be operatively secured at its outer end to the means supporting the load to be lifted.
 2. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially semicircular in shape when viewed from the top thereof.
 3. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially ring shaped when viewed from the top thereof.
 4. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially oval shaped when viewed from the top thereof.
 5. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the top thereof.
 6. The means of claim 1 wherein said seal member is substantially circular in shape when viewed from the top thereof.
 7. In combination; a support means having an upper surface and an outer end; a footing means having an outer end and positioned over said upper surface and being movable with respect thereto; a building structure secured to said footing means; said footing means having an air conduit in communication with an air cavity formed therein; a source of air pressure in communication with said air conduit adapted to raise said footing means with respect to said support means at times; a seal means between said support means and said footing means adapted to engage the upper surface of said support means; said seal means comprising a rigid top sheet member having inner and outer ends, the outer end of said sheet member operatively connected to said footing means for movement therewith, a flexible seal portion having inner and outer ends and being secured at its outer end to said sheet member adjacent the outer end thereof, said seal portion being secured at its inner end to said sheet member outwardly of the inner end thereof; and at least one wheel means secured to the inner end of said sheet member extending inwardly of said seal portion, said wheel means engaging said support means to limit the escape of air outwardly from said air cavity between said seal portion and said support means. 